Key pillars in a business ecosystem success

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the dimensions that foster the accomplishment of goals of business ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews recent contributions to business ecosystems and identifies the key pillars that support the achievement of good results. Findings The paper suggests that entanglement with the customers, value sharing based on a holistic win-win approach, organizational entrepreneurship alignment and continuous smart learning are four dimensions of criticality for designing an effective business ecosystem. These four dimensions nurture the relationships between participants and external actors to make ecosystems successful. Entanglement with the customer is critical to the long-term relevance of the value proposition that reinforces companies’ relationships within the second pillar of value sharing in a win-win system. The development is structured in an organizational alignment where entrepreneurship is the engine, from the employees themselves to the largest corporations, and is enriched with continuous learning based on the exploitation of knowledge and big data. Research limitations/implications The paper identifies a set of four pillars of business ecosystem design for further empirical analysis by ecosystem researchers. Practical implications The paper provides managers and professionals with strategies to develop effective growth within business ecosystems. Originality/value The authors contribute a fresh perspective to the business ecosystems literature by identifying four key pillars of success in the current business landscape.